This chapter focuses on the dispute about Feiyin Tongrong's Wudeng yantong (Strict transmissions of the five Chan schools). The chapter details the process of the debate and contents of various ...
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This chapter focuses on the dispute about Feiyin Tongrong's Wudeng yantong (Strict transmissions of the five Chan schools). The chapter details the process of the debate and contents of various polemical books. In particular, based on a newly discovered collection of legal documents, the chapter explores how the lawsuit about Feiyin's book was judged by officials.Less

The Lawsuit about Feiyin Tongrong's Wudeng yantong in the Early Qing

Jiang Wu

Published in print: 2008-04-01

This chapter focuses on the dispute about Feiyin Tongrong's Wudeng yantong (Strict transmissions of the five Chan schools). The chapter details the process of the debate and contents of various polemical books. In particular, based on a newly discovered collection of legal documents, the chapter explores how the lawsuit about Feiyin's book was judged by officials.

This book studies the revival of Chan Buddhism in seventeenth‐century China. Focusing on a series of controversies, this book argues that the Chan revival was a systematic reinvention of Chan ideals ...
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This book studies the revival of Chan Buddhism in seventeenth‐century China. Focusing on a series of controversies, this book argues that the Chan revival was a systematic reinvention of Chan ideals of the past. The revival not only reshaped Chinese Buddhism but also greatly influenced Buddhism throughout East Asia. The first controversy is the debate between Miyun Yuanwu and his dharma heir, Hanyue Fazang, in the late Ming (1550–1644) and the Yongzheng emperor's intervention in 1733. The second controversy concerns Miyun Yuanwu's dharma heir Feiyin Tongrong's Chan genealogy that rearranged conventional accepted dharma transmission lines based on dubious inscriptions and thus provoked a notorious lawsuit in 1654. At the end of this book, this book offers an explanation about the rise and fall of Chan Buddhism by examining the role of textual practice and the implications of dharma transmission in rebuilding Chan institutions. By tracing the legacies of 17th‐century Chan Buddhism in modern Chinese Buddhism and placing Chan in larger historical context, this book explores a general pattern of Buddhist revival in the history of Chinese Buddhism.Less

Enlightenment in Dispute : The Reinvention of Chan Buddhism in Seventeenth-Century China

Jiang Wu

Published in print: 2008-04-01

This book studies the revival of Chan Buddhism in seventeenth‐century China. Focusing on a series of controversies, this book argues that the Chan revival was a systematic reinvention of Chan ideals of the past. The revival not only reshaped Chinese Buddhism but also greatly influenced Buddhism throughout East Asia. The first controversy is the debate between Miyun Yuanwu and his dharma heir, Hanyue Fazang, in the late Ming (1550–1644) and the Yongzheng emperor's intervention in 1733. The second controversy concerns Miyun Yuanwu's dharma heir Feiyin Tongrong's Chan genealogy that rearranged conventional accepted dharma transmission lines based on dubious inscriptions and thus provoked a notorious lawsuit in 1654. At the end of this book, this book offers an explanation about the rise and fall of Chan Buddhism by examining the role of textual practice and the implications of dharma transmission in rebuilding Chan institutions. By tracing the legacies of 17th‐century Chan Buddhism in modern Chinese Buddhism and placing Chan in larger historical context, this book explores a general pattern of Buddhist revival in the history of Chinese Buddhism.

This chapter describes the rise of Chan Buddhism by focusing on the Linji and Caodong schools and their leaders such as Miyun Yuanwu, Hanyue Fazang, Muchen Daomin, Feiyin Tongrong, Zhanran Yuancheng, ...
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This chapter describes the rise of Chan Buddhism by focusing on the Linji and Caodong schools and their leaders such as Miyun Yuanwu, Hanyue Fazang, Muchen Daomin, Feiyin Tongrong, Zhanran Yuancheng, Wuming Huijing, Yinyuan Longgi, Shilian Dashan, and Fang Yizhi. It shows that these prominent figures first rose under the patronage of the literati, and later their lineage spread all over China in the late Ming and early Qing. During the Ming‐Qing transition, many literati became monks.Less

The Rise of Chan Buddhism

Jiang Wu

Published in print: 2008-04-01

This chapter describes the rise of Chan Buddhism by focusing on the Linji and Caodong schools and their leaders such as Miyun Yuanwu, Hanyue Fazang, Muchen Daomin, Feiyin Tongrong, Zhanran Yuancheng, Wuming Huijing, Yinyuan Longgi, Shilian Dashan, and Fang Yizhi. It shows that these prominent figures first rose under the patronage of the literati, and later their lineage spread all over China in the late Ming and early Qing. During the Ming‐Qing transition, many literati became monks.

This chapter introduces the first controversy between Miyun Yuanwu and Hanyue Fazang. It details Hanyue's understanding of Tathagata Chan, Patriarch Chan, and the perfect circle. The chapter also ...
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This chapter introduces the first controversy between Miyun Yuanwu and Hanyue Fazang. It details Hanyue's understanding of Tathagata Chan, Patriarch Chan, and the perfect circle. The chapter also tells the story about the author's encounter with Miyun and his reluctant acceptance of Miyun's dharma transmission. This chapter lists all relevant polemical essays related to the controversy.Less

Clashes among Enlightened Minds

Jiang Wu

Published in print: 2008-04-01

This chapter introduces the first controversy between Miyun Yuanwu and Hanyue Fazang. It details Hanyue's understanding of Tathagata Chan, Patriarch Chan, and the perfect circle. The chapter also tells the story about the author's encounter with Miyun and his reluctant acceptance of Miyun's dharma transmission. This chapter lists all relevant polemical essays related to the controversy.

This chapter focuses on Yinyuan’s early years before he was established as abbot of Huangbo monastery. His early exposure to Buddhism suggests that his syncretic practice was deeply influenced by the ...
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This chapter focuses on Yinyuan’s early years before he was established as abbot of Huangbo monastery. His early exposure to Buddhism suggests that his syncretic practice was deeply influenced by the local cultic culture in Fuqing area. His journey to Putou Island and Jinsu monastery marked his transition to Miyun Yuanwu’s “authentic” Chan Buddhism. His enlightenment experience and hermit life in Lion Cliff contributed to his spiritual growth as a Zen master. Through tracing his spiritual journey, this chapter also reveals characteristics of the Buddhist revival during the late Ming dynasty and the impact of such a revival on Yinyuan’s early life.Less

In Search of Enlightenment : Yinyuan and the Reinvention of the “Authentic Transmission” in Late Ming Buddhist Revival

Jiang Wu

Published in print: 2014-12-12

This chapter focuses on Yinyuan’s early years before he was established as abbot of Huangbo monastery. His early exposure to Buddhism suggests that his syncretic practice was deeply influenced by the local cultic culture in Fuqing area. His journey to Putou Island and Jinsu monastery marked his transition to Miyun Yuanwu’s “authentic” Chan Buddhism. His enlightenment experience and hermit life in Lion Cliff contributed to his spiritual growth as a Zen master. Through tracing his spiritual journey, this chapter also reveals characteristics of the Buddhist revival during the late Ming dynasty and the impact of such a revival on Yinyuan’s early life.